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Friday, January 17, 2014

A Crown of Life = JOY in Him



             Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Sometimes we have to make ourselves drink it, even if we don’t feel like it!

            Wouldn’t it be great if 2014 brought nothing but good things?  But we know that trials and tribulations are going to come our way.  Listen to what James tells us in the first chapter, verses 2 – 4:  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

           And then in verse 12 he reminds us of our reward: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” What a JOYful day that will be…when we receive our “crown of life”!

            Becoming a follower of Christ does not make us immune to life’s difficulties on earth.  But the scripture teaches us clearly that He can and will work in the midst of those tough times.  The hard part is that we often can not see God working while we are in that tough, hurtful situation.  That’s when we must patiently trust, even when we don’t feel like!  Trusting God is a conscious decision.  And the commitment to stand firm in our faith will cause us to be able to “consider it pure joy.”

            Drink that Joy Juice, even when it doesn’t taste sweet…because God guarantees that you WILL experience JOY again…in His perfect timing!

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